Richard F. Beston

Published 5:13 pm, Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Richard F. Beston, 76, died Jan. 12, at home in Connecticut with his family present. He was born on May 16, 1934, in New York City, the only son of Daniel J. and Elizabeth F. Beston.

He was a graduate of All Hallows High School in the Bronx, where he was an accomplished pitcher on the school's baseball team. His two proudest athletic moments were pitching a no-hitter as a youngster in summer league and later being approached by a scout for the Detroit Tigers and offered a contract with their farm team. Mr. Beston declined the offer to pursue a college education. He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Manhattan College in 1956 and his master's in business administration from Columbia University in 1957.

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He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1960 as a navigator and weapons officer and navigational instructor, and concluded his military career in the Reserves as a captain. After completing his service, he briefly worked for Sperry Rand Corporation before joining IBM, where he remained for 28 years, starting as a college recruiter and, subsequently, becoming the senior vice president for operations in SRA, an IBM Chicago subsidiary.

After holding many other executive positions, he retired from IBM headquarters in Armonk. N.Y., as director of personnel planning. He then joined the outplacement consulting firm of Drake, Beam, Morin (DBM), where he served as a senior vice president for three years. During his long professional career in personnel he was recognized for his strong leadership, people skills and natural problem-solving ability.

After retiring in 1993, he left his home in New Canaan and moved to Sanibel Island, Fla., where he was involved in church activities at St. Isabel and served as a eucharistic minister. He also served as president of his homeowners association for many years. In addition, he helped run the city recreation department tennis program for several years and participated in team tennis at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club. He enjoyed playing bridge with good friends and following the exploits of the New York Yankees and New York Giants.

Mr. Beston's greatest pleasure in life was spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Edna Mae; and his five children with their spouses: Veronica and Joseph DeLora of Darien; Rick and Emerald Beston, formerly of Darien; Peter and Paddy Beston of Newtown; Paul and Emma Beston of Beacon, N.Y.; and David and Kim Beston of New York City. In addition, he leaves behind nine grandchildren, Emily, Matthew, Jack, Joseph, Natasia, Grace, Audrey, Annette and Katianna; a sister-in-law, Lois Ann Fetherston, of Naples, Fla.; a niece, Lisa Glasser McDermott of Darien; and five nephews, Peter, Paul, Vincent and Frank Glasser and Andrew Fetherston.